Baseball Toaster was unplugged on February 4, 2009.
The Red Sox may have faltered last year, but I think their offseason upgrades at shortstop, right field and in the rotation have put them back in a dead heat with the Yankees. I’ll save my breakdown for next week’s series in the Bronx, however, because, with Hideki Matsui and three starting pitchers due to be activated from the disabled list between now and then, this simply isn’t the same Yankee team. As a result, all of the pressure is on the Red Sox this weekend. They can’t afford not to take at least two of three from the dilapidated Yanks in their home park, especially when they’ve got their top three starters lined up against the likes of Jeff Karstens, who will come off the DL tomorrow to make just his seventh career major league start, and Chase Wright, who will take his second big league turn on Sunday.
The Yankees, meanwhile, will be content to win just one, though there’s still some pressure in that the most favorable pitching match up for them is tonight’s marquee battle between Curt Schilling and Andy Pettitte and a sweep would be disastrous regardless of the shape of the Yankee roster. These teams are too evenly matched for either to shrug off surrendering three games in the standings, no matter how early it is.
The good news for the Yankees is that the Red Sox, with the exceptions of J. D. Drew and David Ortiz (of course), aren’t really hitting. Jason Varitek looks as done as he did last year if not more so. Coco Crisp, who was expected to bounce back following a season hampered by a hand injury, has yet to rebound. Rookie second baseman Dustin Pedroia is third on the team in walks, but has contributed almost nothing else. Manny Ramirez is off to a brutally slow start, finally hitting his first homer of the year yesterday. Kevin Youkilis has been only a hair better than Manny. Mike Lowell isn’t getting on base, and Julio Lugo isn’t showing any power.
Rather the Sox have been getting it all done on pitching. Schilling, Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka, and Tim Wakefield have all been excellent the first three times through the rotation, and Julian Tavarez (a placeholder for the progressing Jon Lester) had a good outing against the Blue Jays yesterday. The bullpen has been more problematic, but Jonathan Papelbon, Brendan Donnelly, and unheralded Japanese lefty Hideki Okajima have allowed just one run between them (a homer off Okajima) in 16 innings, striking out 22 against just four hits.
For his part, Schilling recovered from a shaky Opening Day outing in Kansas City to post the following combined line in his last two starts against the Rangers and Angels:
15 IP, 8 H, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 BB, 10 K, 2-0, 0.60 ERA
Fortunately, Andy Pettitte’s been almost as good over his last two outings against the Twins and A’s:
13 IP, 10 H, 1 ER, 0 HR, 2 BB, 7 K, 1-1, 0.69 ERA
Andy’s also a lefty facing a lineup in which the only two hot hitters are the only two lefties. In fact, the Red Sox have been sitting the fragile Drew against lefties in favor of Wily Mo Peña, as if Trot Nixon never left.
As for the Yankees, a week and a half ago I wrote: “The Yankee starters finished their first trip through the rotation with a 9.97 ERA. That was no more likely to hold up than the bullpen’s current 1.07 ERA or the offense’s 6.83 runs per game.”
Indeed, the Yankee starters ERA has dropped by more than half to 4.52, the pen ERA has more than doubled to 2.69, and the offense has scored . . . well 6.5 runs per game, actually. That’s a 1053-run pace with Matsui on the shelf for most of it, Melky not hitting in his place and Doug Mientkiewicz starting the majority of the games at first base. In other words, Alex Rodriguez will cool off (he won’t hit 116 home runs this year, you heard it here first), but the Yankees have the opportunity to compensate with a healthy Matsui and an upgrade at first, which could be as simple as giving the job to Josh Phelps. Wow.
What this weekend’s series comes down to is a match-up between the major league’s most potent offense and the major league’s stingiest pitching staff (2.57 R/G). In an identical number of games, the Yankee offense has scored 55 more runs than the Red Sox’s pitchers have allowed, that’s 253 percent as many runs (or, inversely, just 40 percent as many allowed by the Sox). The Yankees faced a similar situation heading into Oakland last week and played three games decided in the victor’s final at-bat. Here’s hoping this series is similarly exciting.
Note: The Yankees have optioned Darrell Rasner to Scranton in order to add Colter Bean to the bullpen for tonight’s game. Rasner was going to be squeezed out of the rotation anyway by the returns of Karstens (tomorrow), Wang (Tuesday), and Mussina (hopefully Friday). Bean, however, will likey be sent right back to Scranton tomorrow when Karstens is activated. It’s a smart move to maximize the roster, just as they did by adding Chris Britton to the pen this past Sunday when Mussina and Pavano hit the DL, but it’s unfortunate that their one game with a nine-man pen will come on the night that they have their best available starter pitching. Bean was outstanding in spring training, but has had a rough early going in triple-A this year. It wouldn’t be a wise move necessarily, but part of me would love to see him come in as a ROOGY to retire Manny in a big spot tonight. Rasner, meanwhile, acquitted himself well in his last two starts after struggling with what was described as a weather-related blister problem in his first start. I can’t quite figure out how extreme cold can lead to blisters, unless his problem was that his fingers were being rubbed raw. Nonetheless, there was no mention of a reoccurrence in either of his last two outings and he said he felt really good after yesterday’s start despite his early exit.
Boston Red Sox
2006 Record: 86-76 (.531)
2006 Pythagorean Record: 81-81 (.500)
Manager: Terry Francona
General Manager: Theo Epstein
Home Ballpark (2006 Park Factors): Fenway Park (102/101)
Who's Replacing Whom?
Dustin Pedroia replaces Mark Loretta
Julio Lugo replaces Alex Gonzalez
J. D. Drew replaces Trot Nixon and Gabe Kapler
Daisuke Matsuzaka replaces David Wells, Matt Clement (DL) and Kyle Snyder's starts
Julian Tavarez replaces Jon Lester (DL), Lenny DiNardo and Jason Johnson
Brendan Donnelly replaces Julian Tavarez's relief innings
J. C. Romero replaces Keith Foulke
Hideki Okajima replaces Rudy Seanez and Javier Lopez (minors)
Joel Pineiro replaces Manny Delcarmen
Kyle Snyder replaces Craig Hansen
Opening Day Roster:
1B – Kevin Youkilis (R)
2B – Dustin Pedroia (R)
SS – Julio Lugo (R)
3B – Mike Lowell (R)
C – Jason Varitek (S)
RF – J. D. Drew (L)
CF – Coco Crisp (S)
LF – Manny Ramirez (R)
DH – David Ortiz (L)
Bench:
L – Eric Hinske (UT)
L – Alex Cora (IF)
R – Wily Mo Peña (OF)
R – Doug Mirabelli (C)
Rotation:
R – Curt Schilling
R – Josh Beckett
R – Daisuke Matsuzaka
R – Tim Wakefield
R – Julian Tavarez
Bullpen:
R – Jonathan Papelbon
R – Mike Timlin
R – Brendan Donnelly
L – J. C. Romero
L – Hideki Okajima
R – Joel Pineiro
R – Kyle Snyder
15-day DL: R – Jon Lester, R – Matt Clement
Lineup:
R – Julio Lugo (SS)
R – Kevin Youkilis (1B)
L – David Ortiz (DH)
R – Manny Ramirez (RF)
L – J. D. Drew (RF)*
R – Mike Lowell (3B)
S – Jason Varitek (C)
S – Coco Crisp (CF)
R – Dustin Pedroia (2B)
*The Sox's last two starts against lefties have seen J. D. Drew sit in favor of Wily Mo Peña. In that lineup, Crisp hits second, Youkilis hits fifth, and Peña hits eighth.
Here's to Yankees keeping up their winning streak!
12 tribute to celtic great red Aurbacher (sp?)
Stan's dad is the home plate umpire! Randy Marsh!
Thanks, good stuff. I still don't think the Sox have caught up. More like the dumb roster spots on the Yanks have left the door open.
Me, I'm most looking forward to seeing how well DM does against a real lineup on Sunday.
BTW, Ortiz looks like Boston Mascot.
double play! thanks Manny!
The guys need to stop hitting them to dead center.
In the end though,I'm not too worried about a sweep this weekend, other than that ESPn will pronounce the Sox AL East champs already...
Good lord, thats like 4 long long fly outs in a row
Is this our offensive strategy for the game???
Doug finally a productive out.
WEll, at least we scored a run, good job Damon!
(why do i say jetes which is not shorter than jeter?)
strike 2 on outside corner. 2-2.
ball 3 in the dirt.
ball 4.
ball 1 way outside. 1-1.
ball 2 outside. 2-1.
swing in a miss on low, inside cutter. 2-2.
(that was a good pitch)
check swing. called out by 3b ump.
Anyone catch the Fenway attendance demographics on nomaas.org?
85 Love the "people named Sullivan"
(and the toaster crawls again)...
TAKE THAT CURT! YOU BIG GREEN FAT ASS
Can't type anything intelligent.
Ahahahah. Ahahaha.
So fun to see!
Or have I finally found God?
102I can watch Fansworth. When we lead by 8.
Good job, JoPo!
Let's go Andy!
Really, those Sox uniforms are making me sick. It's nice to honor someone, but why dress the team like clowns? Of course with Manny and his dreds, it's just icing on the cake.
Hey... Orsillo just called Drew 'very out at 2nd base'. Missed sign? Wall ball. Wow, lucky to get Drew out.
Making up for JoPo's absence.
Dang, a base hit again.
This game is flying by. I thought 65 pitches was a lot for Schill, but then saw we are already in the 5th...
Wake up, will ya?
Can someone tell me wtf the Sox are doing wearing GREEN FRIGGIN' SHIRTS?????? (and caps)
Yes, I can believe it!
LOVE THE LOOK ON RED SOX FAN FACES!
There's got to be one more coming for Arod in this game.
Ahahahah. Ahahahaha.
This is just nuts, yes?
Would Alex have killed last year in the PS if Jeter had ONLY HAD HIM OVER FOR A SLEEPOVER?
The only thing Ortiz ever writes is "DAViB" with a fat red crayon.
Oh, and I'm out of words about A-God (thanks for the nickname, whoever it was).
Next book coming. Goldilocks and the 3 Big Papis.
oh, & xrays negative on Jorge--phew!
Please don't be sad. This is just what Yankee fans DO in their hotel rooms. :-)
Nice Damon!
And also a big phew on Posada.
239 Not sure either, but I think it is an out...
(i just made that up)
The following guidelines shall apply in ruling whether the ball was or was not caught:
(1) If a fielder, after catching the ball, crashes into a stand and drops the ball, it is not a catch.
(2) If one fielder collides with another and drops the ball, or if, after he has caught the ball, another fielder collides with him and the ball is dropped, it is not a catch.
(3) If a fielder gets a hand or hands on the ball and falls down in the attempt, he must "come up" with the ball to be ruled a catch.
A ball will be ruled caught when the momentum of the catch is completed and the player voluntarily releases the ball.
A fielder may not jump over any fence, railing, or rope marking the limits of the playing field in order to catch the ball. A fielder may (1) reach over such fence, railing, or rope to make a catch;
(2) fall over the same after completing the catch; (3) jump on top of a railing or fence marking the boundary of the field to make a catch; or (4) climb onto a fence or on a field canvas and catch the ball. In all four cases the catch would be legal, as dictated by the best judgment of the umpire.
The same restrictions apply to a foul ball descending into a stand. A catcher or fielder may not jump into a stand to catch such a ball, but reaching into the stand and making the play is permitted.
Play: Bases loaded, one out. Fielder catches fly ball and momentum carries him into the stands.
Fielder remains standing. Can the fielder throw for a play?
Ruling: No. "Time" is called and all runners advance one base.
A fielder may reach or step into, or go into the dugout with one or both feet to make a catch, and if he holds the ball, the catch shall be allowed. The ball is in play. (See Official Baseball Rule
7.04(c).) Note: A club, by local ground rule, may prohibit fielders from entering the dugout to make a catch.
262 makes it clear that if you fall over while making the catch that is ok, but leaving the field of play and then making the catch is not ok.
"A fielder may not jump over any fence, railing, or rope marking the limits of the playing field in order to catch the ball. A fielder may (1) reach over such fence, railing, or rope to make a catch;"
No spiderman catch, then. Bummer.
http://tinyurl.com/g4u6w
Or thats how I remember it.
Glad Doug caught it. And that's 10 more plate appearances for Dougie Auto-Out.
AAAND EDSP is up (surprise surprise)
With 5 RBIs, ARod now has 30 in 15 games.
With a 162 game season thats... er.. ah... um..
Crap! I can't do the math.
Mo will get to close against his favorite team.
And another HS call by the ump, only to let a clear strike go by
J/k of course
Yay! You did!
Thanks JC, keep up the good work
This quote from Boston reliever Joel Pineiro in an AP story:
"I can't wait to get out there. I can't wait to go out there and beat up on the Yankees. ... The fans in Boston, they want us to rip their heads off."
Good luck with all that. Oh, by the way, you're Joel Pineiro. If the Red Sox hadn't offered you a contract you'd be pitching for Starbucks in the Seattle Slo-Pitch Coed League on Sunday mornings. Take it easy.
Pete has a biting sense of humor, no?
Anyway,
New York ARoders 6, Boston Red Sox 2.
You're due for an x-base hit.
Here comes the Stink.
he's always at it!
(to the tune of buzzcocks orgasm addict. trust me. it works.)
Please do not show us highlights from the 2004 ALCS. Thanks.
Love,
Ben
A] Best case scenario--Torre understands eventually that he must be benched, while horrible play does not affect W-L record.
B] Guarantees more starts for Minky because Torre interprets Yankees' wins as product of Minky's leadership.
C] Irrelevant, HR the other night and walk just now = three months of starting at 1B.
1.225 by Babe Ruth in 1920.
A-Rod was at 1.319 BEFORE tonight's game.
D] Two year contract extension at $8M per for the HR and walk.
Setting him up for the scapegoat if we don't make the play off.
Defense and starting rotation depth is not the Yankees weakness. Manager is.
But of course, if he is wiling to use him in the 8th with one out, why not just start the inning with him? And why play L-L in a four run game? And why does the L-L match up seem always to fail?
/sarcasm
Come on Mo!
Mientkiewicz has to make that play.
Fuck it. Joe Torre=fired. He's terrible. Get out of New York, you shittastic manager.
Picking fcking Torre up, just a little bit.
Seriously if you're gonna use your best reliever in the 8th, at least do so to start the inning.
5 outs with inherited runners is essentially the same as 6 outs with no one on.
This is so infuriating. Joe Torre and the BP take a game that had no business being even a game and turn it until a rediculous loss...
Let's go Yankees.
Clap, clap, clap-clap-clap.
I just GOT to see 3 homeruns from Arod today.
FIRE TORRE!
And if that was the plan, it seems to be working...
LHR with a 0.00 ERA WALKS LH batter.
RHR Gets 1 out, gives up a walk and 2 hits.
Mo comes in and gives up 3 hits.
Yes. Fuck Joe Torre. All his fault.
After all, it has NOTHING to do with 3 good pitchers giving up 5 hits and 1 BB.
It has EVERYTHING to do with the ORDER Torre brings them into the game.
Yes. Fuck Joe Torre. All his fault.
OR
a little FUCK to Myers
a good size FUCK to the Viz.
a big FUCK to Mo.
Its amazing. Every single game we lose is either Minky's fault or Torre's fault.
The other 24 guys have nothing to do with it.
(including Melkdud who K'ed on a ball over his head with man on 3rd and one out, an JD who left the bases loaded)
I'm not saying he's no good, but Shields or Rincon, he's not.
JOE MUST GO!
let's go jeter
clap clap clap clap clap
let's take advantage
let's go abreu
clap clap clap clap clap
Rivera has blown consecutive save opps. only 6 times in his career prior to 2007.
He has NEVER blown 3 in a row.
Its not liek we were talking rocket science here, we were talking about basic baseball strategy
next batters in line
clap clap clap clap clap
Does he get pitched to...
OH wait.
let's go let's go
clap clap clap clap clap
We don't even need to discuss the cutesy BP managing, though certainly the combined failure of the BP (including Mo) is the ultimate culprate there.
The 3-1 pitch was a ball.
let's go thompson
clap clap clap clap clap
let's go yankees
clap clap clap clap clap
Not the end of the world, just a really really frustrating game
Have to say, I'm coming down on the side of, Joe mismanaged the 'pen. Frustrating.
yeah, that it. ALWAYS. nevermind that he obviously wasn't himself tonight and all the rest, ALWAYS...
Had Melky put wood on the ball, and KT had scored from 3rd, that might look like a good move. Taking Jason out in the 8th with a 4 run lead is NOT unreasonable, to increase the odds of an insurance run.
Both Bruney and Britton walk a lots of guys. If Joe brought one of them in and they walked a guy or 2, you would be all over 'Joe the Moron'.
Aside from Farns, you should be able to throw a dart into our BP to get guys to hold a 4 run lead. Intellectualize all you want.
The players blew it. 3 pitchers and Melky.
If scape-goating Torre helps you all with your anger, so be it.
And I like Thompson, but why is he hitting there? Phelps just hit a home run last night. Absolutely indefensible managing.
We don't need Mo to win any April MVP awards, either. I know every game counts, but he'll be OK — that I'm not worried about.
I hate, I mean hate to go here — but that flippin' ump changed the outcome of this game. On too many ABs to recount (for both sides), this guy flat out blew it. If MLB does video reviews, this clown needs to be busted out to A ball. If he knew a strike when he saw one, this is a 3-2 game, who wins, I dunno, but this was F'in amateur hour behind the plate tonight.
Torre has an impact on the team. He is our 26th man. OK.. call him our 10th man. Whatever you like.
Take ARod out of the game and we have 1 run on 8 hits. That ain't gonna get it done.
This constantly blaming Torre for a loss, when our BP posts and ERA of 36 is infantile.
Pettitte-Procter-Myers was especially bad. Scurrying for Mo at a bad timing was nothing more than a panic call.
However, I wouldn't say we're heading for a sweep just yet.
It is brilliant that Mo can pitch terribly, and you blame Torre for not bringing him in 2 batters earlier.
In case you don't get it.
JOE DID NOT WANT TO BRING MO IN.
HE WANTED ONE OF THE OTHER GUYS TO HET IT DONE. NOT AN UNREASONABLE EXPECTATION.
But when Myers and Viz BOTH FAILED, as a stop-gap, Joe went to Mo.
THEN MO FAILED.
GET IT?
MO (and Myers and Viz) FAILED
Torre apologists can blame the players all they want, but I think it's pretty clear that a good manager helps his team get a win.
Also, why take out Scott Proctor. So you can use Myers for one batter?
It doesn't matter who you bring in in what order, when 3 different pitchers blow a 4 run lead.
You guys are all back seat drivers.
It does NOT matter what Joe does.
If/When then players fail, it's Joe's fault.
He ALWAYS should have done it different.
And if he does it 'right', and the team fails, then He ALWAYS should have done it different.
Off the top of my head, here are Joe's bungles:
1) Pinch running for Giambi
2) Not bunting Nieves after you PR for Giambi
3) Not having Mo warmed up in plenty of time (he and Borzello were scrambling to get going).
4) Lifting Proctor to have Myers face on batter.
5) Not pinch hitting for Thomson.
That's Charlie Manuel bad!
Was this the second time the bullpen blew up Pettitte's win?
Still, it was an odd combination:
Taking Giambi's bat away and then not PH'ing Phelps for Thompson, as if he didn't think he needed the offense at the plate (offence at the plate > offense on the basepaths)
Playing the lefty game up 6-2
Calling Vizcaino, who has been in almost every game this year, and is coming off a shaky outing (ok, everyone's overworked, but Viz has gotten the worst of it, and his performance yesterday earned him a break)
Yanking Vizcaino, a groundball pitcher, with the double play in order in favor of Rivera, who apparently couldn't be bothered to get 6 outs, so let's call him for five with men on. Mo has had his problems with inherited runners in the past, and his problems with command lately, so he gave up some dinks (nice no-doubles corner defense).
Joe managed this game like he knew the Yanks would lose, making all the panicky, close-game decisions when the score was 6-2. It was a bad job, needlessly stressful for his players and us fans. And he would have gotten away with it too, if Rivera were any good tonight.
That's just awful.
And I concur that players should have been able to make a difference. Yet, I know I can't DISAGREE with what players do on a split second on the field. They do what they do and things happen, while I can disagree with Torre's decisions. But Torre is the manager, and I'm here sitting at home. So what it all comes down to is just a bunch of fandom talking. We're allowed to do that, aren't we? ;-)
... What does that mean? If Torre brought in different RPs and they still blew a 4 run lead, the team would feel better about the loss... 'absorb' it better? You're a smart guy William. Read what you just said.
Do you really think Torre managed a good game?
... So-so. He didn't bring in Farns. Posada got hurt. This game shouldn't have needed that much management.
Off the top of my head, here are Joe's bungles:
1) Pinch running for Giambi
... why? Giambi's probably not getting another AB. Joe was playing for an insurance run. If Melky hits a bouncing ball and KT is running instead of Giambi, we maybe score a run. If Giambi is running and gets thrown out, there are 50 posts here within 2 minutes to the effect of what an idiot Joe is:
.... "WHY HAVE a fast guy on the bench Joe, when you can have Giambi (who won't get another AB) running instead"
2) Not bunting Nieves after you PR for Giambi
... I might have done that. I don't know how good a bunter Nieves is. Do you? Does Donny? Does Joe? People here HATE sac bunts. If Joe had him bunt, and he popped out... 50 more comments. Want an example?
3) Not having Mo warmed up in plenty of time (he and Borzello were scrambling to get going).
... Getting RPs up and down is not good. You get them up when you think you will use them. We had a 4 run lead. Our pen, MINUS Mo, has a great ERA. Joe wants to save Mo in case of a CLOSE game tomorrow. When would you have had Mo start throwing?
4) Lifting Proctor to have Myers face on
batter.
... You're shitting me right? Here's what Myers contract says:
... "We got you PRIMARILY for one reason. To pitch to David Ortiz."
You prefer a RH fast ball pitcher pitching to Papi? Really?
5) Not pinch hitting for Thomson.
... I guess you can put in Phelps. After all, why give KT a chance? He only batted, what, in SP... .300+
I am NOT in disagreement with what you said, I just don't think these ideas came from the Mt. on stone tablets.
That's Charlie Manuel bad!
... It's infantile scape-goating, not unlike booing ARod last year for all the games 'he lost'.
It's a bad loss but it's also just April. Hope most of you can sleep well and go on to have a good weekend.
I don't like blaming. 3 pitchers blew it. It happens. Even to Mo. It sucks, but it happens, It happened to Cleveland yesterday. It happens.
Hey... if you're frustrated, beat up the old lady... but why fire Joe? (kidding of course)
Did you see Mo and Borzello scrambling in the pen? That doesn't concern you? Sure...you don't want to get Mo up and down, but that doesn't mean you bring him in without being fully warm.
As for Myers/Proctor...I prefer the better pitcher. If your plan is to use Myers for 1 batter and then bring in the guy who threw 30 pitches the day before, well, then you need a new plan.
Give KT a chance? This isn't a pick-up game Phelps gave the Yankees the best chance to hit a home run. He ended the game unused.
Torre isn't a scapegoat...he was the goat...PERIOD. You may think that's infantile, but that's how I get when I watch a bad manager piss away an important game.
It's time for Grandpa Joe to take his green tea to Hawaii.
As for whether if we're QUALIFIED to call for firing Joe... Shyeah!! We're the powers that be known as FANS, duh! ;-)
As for using Mo as a stop-gap move--I see your point. However (again), if you are willing to use him for five outs, then you should be ready to use him for six outs. He should have been warming sooner (like as soon as Meyers failed to do his job--that's not Torre's fault at all; I agree with you there). Of course, Torre (no worse than anyone else) is driven by the silly save rule. Rivera should have been used in the eighth to face the meat of the order, and then he could have been pulled for the ninth if they had kept the four run lead, thus preserving him for the next game. But we can't blame Torre for that strategy--the 'closer' is now too deeply ingrained in contemporary baseball mentality.
Referring again to 629, I am not scapegoating to deal with anger. Frankly, I am not particularly angry. Rather, I have begun to take a perverse pleasure in watching Torre's autopilot managing unravel over the last few seasons. His strategic and tactical tendencies and blunders are so scripted and predictable, they become sort of like a drinking game. Like for example, if the team does go into a bit of a rut over the next few games, you can guarantee that Cairo starts at 1B or LF, or something similarly nutty.
On a more serious note, I am not convinced that something is not wrong with Mo. His velocity seems down and his control is awful, and he is allowing too many balls in the air. Now, it may just be a bad patch, or ealy season rust. Who knows. But if Mo gos down (heavan forbid), it will be interesting to see how Torre copes.
I really, honestly, 100% feel that he is acutally costing us wins at this point. We all agree that this team could probably win 90 games with NO mangager, no? So when the manager is an active part of making the team lose, thatis, by not putting the team in the best position to win, well, hes taking away from the team rather than adding to it; a managers job is pretty much just that. Already this year Joe has had at least two games where he has done that, if not 4.
I'm not angry, or even worried, just annoyed, because this was the game we needed to win this weekend and we should have.
I am worried about Mo, but for now I will just assume he needs more work and leave it at that...
Once again, when your manager is not doing his job, that is, putting the team in the best position to win on and off the field, then that manager should be fired. It won't happen, it probably shouldn't happen now, but if this trend continues this year, it SHOULD happen before the end of the year.
It's probably just very very strange to see him get rocked like that. Shocking really, but I definitely still have faith in the Hammer of God.
Let's get em tomorrow boys.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=hV29V3eqVTY
Back to Hobbs: Have we settled on "A-God," then?
http://youtube.com/watch?v=YO8vH5zn-IA
The press is starting to call Reds outfielder Josh Hamilton "The Natural" and "Hobbs." As much for his long hiatus from baseball as for his talent.
As for Mo...Flaherty on YES last night didn't think there was anything wrong with him. He said the velocity was there; it was the location that was the problem. Just early-season rust, and maybe lack of enough warmup time.
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